Tenure-Track/Tenured Faculty Position in Technology and Data Science

The Department of Communication at Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information seeks a full-time faculty member in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with an emphasis on Data Science. Preference will be given to candidates at the Assistant and Associate levels. The appointment will begin in Fall 2024.

We are seeking a social scientist studying information and communication technology who uses computational social science methods. The ideal candidate will conduct theory-driven, empirical, communication-centered research that examines the social implications of new technologies. This new faculty member will contribute to the growing computational social science area at the School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University.

We are looking for an innovative and engaged communication scholar whose research foci recognizes emerging issues in areas including but not limited to: 

• Artificial intelligence fairness and algorithmic bias
• Artificial intelligence and the future of work 
• Social inequality and democratic participation
• Media and technology 
• Youth and technology
• Cities and technology
• Globalization and civil society  
• Mis/dis-information and technology
• Identity formation and technology 
• Collective intelligence and digital collaboration 
• Inequities in access, uses, and outcomes of technology
• Relationship between online and offline behavior

The ideal candidate will have expertise in computational social science methods including, but not limited to, machine learning, natural language processing, and network science. We are also interested in candidates whose research uses computational methods to understand and address inequalities related to race, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ+ status, socioeconomic status, physical/mental health, geography, or environment.

Our faculty employs a wide range of empirical approaches in their research. We encourage candidates whose scholarship intersects with, and extends, one or more of the department’s research foci (organizational communication, health communication, communication and technology, interpersonal communication, and language and social interaction) and/or other areas within the school such as media studies and information science. For more about the Department of Communication and the School of Communication and Information (SC&I), see comminfo.rutgers.edu.  

Responsibilities of tenure-track and tenured faculty members include undergraduate and graduate teaching assignments, an active program of research in the candidate’s area of scholarly expertise, and service contributions in accordance with the university policy for tenure‐track and tenured appointments. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE  

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field is expected as of June 2024 for a September start date.  

Applicants should have a demonstrated record or strong likelihood of top-tier peer-reviewed publication and evidence of or preparation for effective teaching. Applicants at the rank of Associate Professor should provide evidence of leadership in research, instruction, and service; a record of external funding is a plus. As their careers advance, ideal faculty hires will be well positioned to lead externally funded research projects and collaborative efforts within the department, school, and across Rutgers University.

OVERVIEW OF THE SCHOOL 

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 67,000 students and 22,100 faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers locations across New Jersey and around the world. An equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, Rutgers is committed to building a diverse community and encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply. We are currently in an exciting period of transformation and growth as we form a hub for data science across departments at Rutgers University. 

The School of Communication and Information (SC&I) is a dynamic center of learning at the heart of the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. Founded in 1982, SC&I research and teaching is delivered by three academic departments: Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, and Library and Information Science. Through five undergraduate majors and minors, three masters degrees, and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, the school teaches over 8,000 students each year, of whom 2,500 are its own undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students. Geographically adjacent and closely connected to the world’s largest media and information hubs and supported by Rutgers’ vibrant scholarly community, SC&I embraces the university goals of promoting diversity throughout our networks and programs and is committed to social engagement. For more information about the school see: http://comminfo.rutgers.edu 
 

TO APPLY 

Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates are required to submit a letter of application, CV, two sample publications and the names of 3 references. All applications must be submitted through the Rutgers Job Board.  https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/208329

We look forward to welcoming a new colleague who will contribute to our thriving undergraduate and master’s level programs and our highly regarded interdisciplinary school-wide Ph.D. program.  

Inquiries can be made to the search committee chair: Katherine Ognyanova (katya.ognyanova@rutgers.edu).